APRIL 14, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
FAITH ALIVE IN HOLY WEEK
Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus celebrate Silver Rose Ceremony ▪ SEE PAGE 20
Parishes embrace the Paschal Mystery ▪ SEE PAGES 6 - 8
APRIL 14, 2026
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TURNING TO OUR LADY
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
VOL. 62, NO. 20
Exploring the message of Divine Mercy SEE PAGE 5
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE † 2
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COLUMNISTS † 13 - 14
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ESPAÑOL † 17
| AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE † 19
2 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
A Shepherd’s Message
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • APRIL 14, 2026
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez
“I pray that the light of the risen Christ will fill our hearts with joy. May this joy move us to be witnesses of the resurrection to all those we encounter.”
Brothers and sisters, this Easter we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Christ! Throughout the Lenten season, we prepared ourselves to enter into the mystery of Christ’s passion and death, culminating in His rising from the dead. We accompanied Christ through His suffering on the cross, which led us to the empty tomb. Today, our churches are filled with joyous acclamations of “Alleluia!” announcing Jesus’ triumph over death! We welcome the newly baptized and confirmed who have celebrated the Eucharist for the first time. This is the beginning of a new life for them and for us, too, as we renew our baptismal promises.
ARCHBISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ
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Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez President & Publisher PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez presides over the annual Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on March 31 in Houston, one of the most solemn Liturgies of the year.
As we gather with friends and family, I pray that the light of the risen Christ will fill our hearts with joy. May this joy move us to be witnesses of the resurrection to all those we encounter.
Jonah Dycus Communications Director & Executive Editor Rebecca Torrellas, James Ramos Editorial Catherine Viola Advertising Manager Jared Dees, Michelle Eisterhold, D.D. Emmons, Pope Francis, Fatima Lopez and Jo Ann Zuñiga Contributors
Know that I will pray for you throughout this Easter season, asking God to strengthen your Catholic faith and your love for the Eucharist. I ask you to pray for me that I may be a good shepherd of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston.
The Texas Catholic Herald is published semi-monthly on Tuesdays, with one issue in June, July and August, by The Texas Catholic Herald Publishing Co., Inc., 1700 San Jacinto St., Houston, TX 77002. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX and other distribution points.
God bless all of you — in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. †
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+++ Hermanos y hermanas, ¡hoy celebramos la gloriosa resurrección de Cristo! Durante el tiempo de Cuaresma, nos hemos preparado para adentrarnos en el misterio de la pasión y muerte de Cristo, culminando con su resurrección de entre los muertos. Acompañamos a Cristo en su sufrimiento en la cruz, lo que nos condujo al sepulcro vacío.
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Hoy, nuestras iglesias se llenarán de gozosas aclamaciones de “¡Aleluya!” que anuncian el triunfo de Jesús sobre la muerte. Damos la bienvenida a los recién bautizados y confirmados que han celebrado la Eucaristía por primera vez. Es el comienzo de una nueva vida para ellos y también para nosotros, al renovar nuestras promesas bautismales.
Que esta alegría nos impulse a ser testigos de la resurrección ante todos los que encontremos.
Al reunirnos con la familia y amigos, oro para que la luz del Cristo resucitado llene nuestros corazones de alegría.
Que Dios los bendiga a todos — en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. †
Oraré por ustedes durante este tiempo de Pascua, pidiendo a Dios que fortalezca su fe católica y su amor a la Eucaristía. Les pido que oren por mí para que pueda ser un buen pastor de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston.
You make the ministry of our future Priests possible. Nearly 60 men are currently in formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston to become the next generations of priests. These men spend anywhere from 5 to 7 years preparing for their Ordination to the Priesthood. St. Mary’s Seminary 9845 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77024
To read more about our seminarians and how you can support them, visit www.smseminary.com.
Issue date: April 28 Deadline: Noon on April 7 Issue date: May 12 Deadline: Noon on April 21 Editorial deadlines are no later than Tuesday at noon, 21 days prior to the issue date. ON THE COVER: A stained glass window of Divine Mercy at Mary Queen Parish in Friendswood.
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APRIL 14, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
THE FIRST WORD IN BRIEF Young adult mission trip to NYC set for August
PHOTO BY CATHERINE LEBLANC / GODONG
The Blessed Mother is depicted in a fresco seen at the Vatican Museums.
HOUSTON — The Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry, in collaboration with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, is hosting a young adults’ mission trip experience to New York City (NYC) in August 2026. The mission trip, set for Aug. 8 to 15, costs $1,150, with a $250 deposit to register, not including airfare. The trip includes an on-site introduction to cultural, economic and spiritual realities from local NYC faith leaders; learning from and assisting at the NYC Catholic Worker Houses; exploring cross-cultural and immigrant concerns; meeting with faith-based immigration and community redevelopment initiatives; and a free day in NYC. The registration deadline is April 15. To learn more and to register, visit www.archgh.org/yamission. †
Regina Caeli prayer gives Easter joy in just a few seconds BY JARED DEES Special to the Herald The Regina Caeli (Latin for “Queen of Heaven”) is offered by the Church as a hallmark of Easter. Lasting for a full 50 days, Easter is a very long season — 10 days longer than Lent, ending on Pentecost, May 24, this year. The Regina Caeli is integrated especially into two daily Catholic devotions. First, in the Divine Office prayed by priests, religious and many laypeople, the Regina Caeli is the Easter season Marian antiphon at the end of Night Prayer. Then, the Church replaces the daily Angelus prayer during Easter with the Regina Caeli, traditionally prayed three times daily: at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Church bells will often ring at these hours. The Angelus/Regina Caeli is prayed publicly by the pope and pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on most Sundays. The pope offers a short greeting (usually with a reflection on the day’s readings) before leading the people in the prayer. Hidden origins According to legend, this prayer dates back to the sixth century with Pope Gregory the Great. As the story goes, when the city of Rome was plagued with an epidemic, St. Gregory led a procession out from St. Peter’s Basilica past the Mausoleum of Hadrian in prayerful petition to end the plague. Then, on top of the mausoleum, he saw an angel singing the words of the Regina Caeli. He responded in words, also in the prayer, “Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia!” or “Pray for us to God, alleluia!” Inspired by this event, the faithful henceforth referred to the mausoleum with a different name: Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) and the nearby bridge became known as the Ponte Sant’Angelo (Bridge of Angels). The Church in Rome received two gifts that day. The disease of the city was cured, and a new prayer was established to help remind the faithful of joy even in times of great suffering. Focused on Jesus What, specifically, do we meditate on in this prayer? First, the prayer assures us that Jesus truly is risen. This reflects the journey that all the disciples had to undertake, encountering the Risen Christ and thus leaving behind their doubt to become Christ’s witnesses. Second, the prayer reminds us what the season of Easter is all about. We offer joyful praise to God with the word “alleluia” six separate times. Also, we proclaim different variations of the word “joy” five times, as found in the prayer
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(rejoice, rejoice, glad, joy, joys). The Regina Caeli reminds us of the Resurrection and the meaning that it has for our lives. The Lord is risen, and we can share in Easter joy with Mary, the Queen of Heaven. We can truly proclaim “alleluia,” giving praise to God for the great gift of everlasting life He offers us. We need help on this journey to heaven. So we turn to Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord, whose openness to the will of God led to her coronation in heaven. We ask for her intercession daily so that we, like her, can experience the full joys of heaven in unity with her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Regina Caeli is a few-second way to get a little taste of heaven and keep the Easter joy alive. † Jared Dees, founder of thereligionteacher.com, contributes to Aleteia-OSV News from Indiana.
Praying the Regina Caeli
Annual priests vs. seminarians basketball game set for April 17 HOUSTON — The ninth annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Game is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse, located at 6100 Main St. in Houston near the Texas Medical Center. The seminarians’ Saints will face off against the priests’ Martyrs. All proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Seminary. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit www. houstonvocations.com/events or email vocations@archgh. org. †
ENGLISH - QUEEN OF HEAVEN V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. R. Pray for us to God, alleluia. V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. LATIN - REGINA CAELI V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia. R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
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GO PAPERLESS!
Catholic Family Night at the Astros
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will take on the St. Louis Cardinals for Catholic Family Night at Daikin Park in downtown Houston on Saturday, April 18. A portion of tickets sold supports the Steps for Students Tuition Assistance Fund, benefiting Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Seats are in special reserved sections, and ticket prices range from $37.75 to $79.49. Tickets must be purchased by April 14 at 11:59 p.m. For group sales of 20 tickets or more, call 713-259-8316 or email broussard@astros.com. For more information, visit www.gofevo.com/event/ CatholicFamily2. †
Café Catholica Lite returns May 21
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at Mary Queen Catholic Church, located at 606 Cedarwood Dr. in Friendswood, on Thursday, May 21, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. The talk titled “Discerning the Vocation of Marriage: How It Can Save You!” will be given by Joseph Mastrangelo, owner of Zelie Beans Coffee. The talk will explore how discerning marriage is not only about recognizing God’s call, but also about discovering the person who will help you grow in holiness and prepare for eternal life. The night will include snacks, the presentation, Q&A and prayer. The Café Catholica program helps young adults ages 18 to 39 encounter Christ and His Church. For more information, visit www.archgh.org/cafecatholica. †
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St. Peter Catholic unveils school mascot
The technical high school introduced its new mascot, inspired by the historic Papal Swiss Guard. ▪ SEE PAGE 11
An Easter meditation on Jesus’ meeting Doubting Thomas BY POPE FRANCIS Special to the Herald On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Gospel of John recounts two apparitions of the risen Jesus to His disciples, and in particular, to Thomas, the “doubting Apostle.” In reality, Thomas is not the only one who struggles to believe. In fact, he represents all of us a little bit. Indeed, it is not always easy to believe, especially when, as in his case, one has suffered a tremendous disappointment. After a huge disappointment, it is difficult to believe. He had followed Jesus for years, running risks and enduring discomforts. But the Teacher was put on a cross like a criminal, and no one freed Him. No one did anything! He is dead and everyone is afraid. How can he trust again? How can he trust the news saying He is alive? There was doubt inside him. Thomas, however, shows that he is courageous. While the others are closed up inside the Upper Room out of fear, he goes out, running the risk that someone might recognize, report and arrest him. We could even think that, with his courage, he would have deserved more than the others to meet the risen Lord. Instead, precisely because he is away, Thomas is not there when Jesus appears to the disciples for the first time, on Easter evening, thus missing that opportunity. He had distanced himself from the community. How could he get [the opportunity] back? Only by going back to the others, returning there, to that family he had left behind, scared and sad. When he does so, when he returns, they tell him that Jesus had come, but he struggles to believe. He wants to see his wounds. And Jesus satisfies him: eight days later, He appears again in the midst of His disciples and shows them His wounds, His hands, His feet, these wounds that are the proof of His love, that are the ever-open channels of His mercy. Let us reflect on these facts. In order to believe, Thomas wants an extraordinary sign — to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to him, but in an ordinary way, coming in front of
OSV NEWS PHOTO/PUBLIC DOMAIN
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas,” c. 1604 shows the moment the apostle Thomas came to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
everyone, in the community, not outside. As if saying to him: if you want to meet Me, do not search far away; remain in the community, with the others, and don’t go away. Pray with them. Break bread with them. And He says this to us as well. That is where you will find Me; that is where I will show you the signs of the wounds impressed on My body: the signs of the love that overcomes hatred, of the pardon that disarms revenge, the signs of the life that conquers death. It is there, in the community, that you will
discover My face, as you share moments of doubt and fear with your brothers and sisters, clinging even more strongly to them. Without the community, it is difficult to find Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, the invitation given to Thomas is valid for us as well. We, where do we seek the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or amazing religious manifestation, only in our emotions and feelings? Or rather, in the community, in the Church, accepting the challenge of staying there, even though she (the Church) is not perfect? Despite all of her limitations and failures, which are our limitations and failings, our Mother Church is the Body of Christ. And it is
there, in the Body of Christ, that, still now and forever, the greatest signs of His love can be found impressed. Let us ask ourselves, however, if in the name of this love, in the name of Jesus’ wounds, we are willing to open our arms to those who are wounded by life, excluding no one from God’s mercy but welcoming everyone, each person like a brother, like a sister. God welcomes everyone. God welcomes everyone. May Mary, the Mother of Mercy, help us to love the Church and to make her a welcoming home for everyone. † This meditation comes from Pope Francis’ Regina Caeli message given on April 16, 2023.
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APRIL 14, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
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St. Faustina and the visions behind Divine Mercy Sunday BY D.D. EMMONS AND JAMES RAMOS Special to the Herald HOUSTON (OSV News) — Other than Our Lady of Guadalupe and perhaps the Sistine Chapel’s frescoes, few paintings depicting Jesus Christ are as popular as the image of Divine Mercy. With its radiant white, blue and red colors and engaging depiction of Jesus, this devotion can be seen in many homes, churches and peppered across the Galveston-Houston landscape, quietly sharing the powerful message on street corners near gas stations, restaurants and even tire shops. Between 1931 and 1938, a young nun named Sister Maria Faustina claimed to have experienced a series of visions, messages and conversations in which our Lord Jesus asked her to establish a devotion to His Divine Mercy. Helen Kowalska, who became Sister Maria Faustina of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Warsaw, was born in 1905 near Lodz, Poland. When she was 20, she entered the convent and lived there the rest of her life. She began receiving messages and visions of Jesus soon thereafter. St. Faustina documented all these episodes — over 1,800 entries — in her diary that today is a classic book called “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” She was a prophet and a mystic, graced with many supernatural gifts. Her deep love of the Eucharist and love of the Blessed Mother were likely among the reasons Jesus chose her to share His message of mercy.
How To Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Optional Opening Prayers: You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy,envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. (Repeat 3 times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! USING A ROSARY PRAY... Start with: Our Father, Hail Mary and the Apostle’s Creed For each of the five decades, on each “Our Father” bead of the rosary, pray: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. On each of the 10 “Hail Mary” beads, pray: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Concluding prayer (Repeat 3 times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Optional Closing Prayer Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
FILE PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth carry an image of Divine Mercy during a procession at Christ the Incarnate Word Parish in Houston. Divine Mercy Sunday is April 12.
According to the U.S. bishops, in 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a vision, with His right hand raised in a blessing and His left touching His garment above His heart. St. Faustina recorded these visions in her diary. Red and white rays emanate from His heart, symbolizing the blood and water that were poured out for the salvation and sanctification of the faithful. The Lord requested that “Jesus, I trust in You” be inscribed under His image. Jesus asked that His image be painted and venerated throughout the world: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish” (Diary, no. 48) and “By means of this image I will grant many graces to souls” (Diary, no. 742). The Chaplet was also given to St. Faustina with this promise: “Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you” (Diary, no. 1541). “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy” (Diary, no. 687). Jesus also gave St. Faustina nine intentions for which to pray the Chaplet beginning on Good Friday and ending on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday, which today is known as the Divine Mercy Novena. The messages imparted to St. Faustina were received during an era of growing unrest throughout Europe: Amid economic disaster, Hitler and the Nazis were taking over Germany, as were Mussolini and the fascists in Italy. The first concentration camps were built, and the German anti-Jewish Nuremberg Laws were passed. Control of most European countries was increasingly in the hands of tyrants, which led to the horrors of World War II. All this came on the heels of World War I, which had ended less than 25 years earlier. Jesus told Faustina that “mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to my mercy” (Diary, No. 300). The diary reflects that to attain the divine mercy of Jesus, mankind needs a trusting relationship with Our Savior. Jesus tells St. Faustina repeatedly that we can depend on His love and His mercy if only we turn to Him, repent of our sins and trust in Him: “Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would my mercy not embrace a trusting soul” (Diary, No. 1777). He also repeatedly told her that He wanted her to establish a feast of mercy and hold that celebration on the first Sunday after Easter. He said, “My
daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the feast of mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day, the very depths of my tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of my mercy. The soul that will go to confession and receive holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. ... My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter” (Diary,
No. 699). The mercy of Christ that we receive is then shared with our neighbor; as He is merciful to us, we are to be merciful to them. After St. Faustina died in 1938, the original diary was rewritten by members of St. Faustina’s order and, based on the contents of that version, both the diary and proposed devotion in 1959 were banned by the Vatican. It was 19 years later that a review of the original documents of Sister Faustina led to the lifting of the ban. On April 30, 2000, St. Faustina would be the first person canonized in the new millennium. St. John Paul II not only elevated Sister Faustina Kowalska to the altar of sainthood, but he said during his canonization homily that “from now on throughout the Church (the second Sunday of Easter) will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.” When we attend a Divine Mercy celebration on that special Sunday, we are touched by the beautiful prayers that Jesus gave to St. Faustina: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” And then, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world” (Diary, No. 476). † D.D. Emmons writes for OSV News from Pennsylvania.
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From Engineering Labs to the Baptismal Font: Rice student finds his way home to the Church BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — When Colt Adams arrived at Rice University with a Bible, a crucifix, and a rosary packed between textbooks and dorm essentials, he did not yet know he was carrying the seeds of a life-changing decision. An 18-year-old sophomore from St. George, Utah, studying industrial engineering, Adams entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on April 4 at St. Mary’s Chapel at the Rice Catholic Student Center, located at 1703 Bolsover St., right next to Rice’s campus. He was one of seven catechumens who joined six other candidates in receiving the Sacraments there that night. For Adams, the journey to the Church began quietly and unexpectedly. “I grew up in a non-denominational Christian household in which we didn’t really attend church,” he said. “Just before I left for college, my mom began practicing her Catholic faith more. She sent me to Rice with the Bible, a crucifix and a rosary.” That gift sparked curiosity, and that curiosity led to Mass, which in turn led to community. At Rice, Adams became involved with the Catholic Student Association (CSA), a vibrant hub of prayer, fellowship and formation for students navigating faith in a high-pressure academic environment. “I felt the Lord drawing me closer the more I went, and I soon found peace in Him,” Adams said. “I credit the amazing
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLT ADAMS
At left, Colt Adams holds a baptismal candle after receiving the Sacrament of Baptism during Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Chapel at Rice Catholic Student Center in Houston on April 4. At right, Adams is pictured with his godfather and Confirmation sponsor Jacob, a fellow Rice student. Adams was among a group of seven catechumens who, with six other candidates at St. Mary’s, became Catholic this Easter Season, joining the nearly 3,000 others also entering the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
community at the CSA for providing a home.” He liked it so much that he joined the CSA outreach team this year, helping welcome fellow students who, like him, were searching for something deeper. When the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) began last year at St. Mary’s Chapel, Adams knew it was time. “After over a year of inquiry and
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involvement at St. Mary’s, I was more than ready,” he said. “I’m glad I waited and matured in my faith before joining, but by the time Lent came around, I was so ready and excited to receive the Sacraments.” Guided by Father Tucker Redding, SJ, director and chaplain at Rice’s Catholic Student Center, and Father RB Williams, OP, a Dominican at Holy Rosary Priory in Midtown, and mentored by fellow students through men’s groups and campus events, Adams found formation not only in doctrine but in daily discipleship. “The most challenging part of the faith is putting it before all else,” he said. “It’s easier to talk about it than it is to actually wake up each morning and take up your cross.” Still, joy outweighed the challenge. “One great thing is that all your prayers get answered,” he said.“Seriously. You don’t even realize it until you reflect sometimes.” That sense of fulfillment came to a head during the Easter Vigil at St. Mary’s Chapel. Standing beneath the four glowing stained glass windows, Adams finally received his Sacraments. “I expected receiving the Sacraments to be the greatest moment of my life, and frankly, it was even better,” Adams said. “Truly an amazing time of excitement, peace and fulfillment of a long journey.” After receiving First Communion, his thoughts turned to a familiar Gospel image. “I thought of the one lost sheep whom the shepherd found and carried home on his shoulders,” he said. Adams chose St. Joseph as his confirmation saint, drawn to the quiet strength of the foster father of Jesus. “His devotion as a husband and father inspires me,” he said. Other saints have walked alongside him as well, including St. Michael the
IN BRIEF
New Catholics join local Church at Easter
Nearly 3,000 people are joining the Catholic Church across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston this Easter season, following record-setting Rite of Election Liturgies during Lent. Archdiocesan officials said 1,983 catechumens and 972 candidates answered Christ’s call this year, the largest total in Archdiocesan history, the third largest group of any U.S. diocese, according to reports. † Archangel and St. Isidore the Farmer. Scripture, especially the Gospels and the Book of Job, reshaped his worldview. “The past couple of years have taught me that God’s will is far superior to my own,” Adams said. “My life is infinitely more fulfilling and fruitful when I live to serve the Lord, rather than my own aspirations.” His sponsor and godfather, a fellow Rice student and friend named Jacob, modeled what faithful commitment can look like on a secular campus. “His devotion and true submission to the Lord in a secular environment is inspiring,” Adams said. What comes next is less about milestones and more about presence. “I’m so grateful to all of the folks here at St. Mary’s Chapel,” he said.“For anyone considering, I strongly recommend receiving the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.” For a student accustomed to solving engineering problem sets and precise calculations and analytics, Adams has learned that some of life’s most important questions are solved in prayer, in community and in the Sacraments. And on Easter night, he found the answer he had been seeking. †
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Holy Week traditions at parishes raise faith, culture BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald THE WOODLANDS — Filipino Catholic communities across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston gathered in the pre-dawn hours of Easter Sunday to observe the Salubong, a traditional reenactment of the meeting between the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary. The ritual served as a centerpiece for the local Filipino population, marking the transition from the mourning of Holy Week to the celebration of the resurrection. The term translates from Tagalog as to welcome or to meet. Three parishes participated in the April 5 Salubong observance. Notre Dame Church in Houston and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Manvel both began processions at 4:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 5 a.m. Sts. Simon and Jude Church in The Woodlands held its procession at 5:30 a.m. with Mass following at 6 a.m. The special gathering involved two separate processions that converged at a designated outdoor area. A group of men accompanied a statue of the Risen Christ, while a group of women followed a statue of Mary draped in a dark-colored mourning veil, or lambong. The prayer concluded when a young girl dressed as an angel removed the veil from the statue of Mary while the congregation sang the Regina Caeli. This action symbolized the end of Mary’s sorrow and the beginning of the Easter season. Organizers with the Filipino Ministry Council of the Archdiocese noted that the tradition is rooted in 16th-century Spanish Encuentro customs. While the meeting is not recorded in Scripture, the ritual remains a significant expression of popular piety and maternal
PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
At top, St. Ambrose parishioners carry two floats, or pasos, with statues of the Sorrowful Mother and the body of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, April 3, in Houston. At right and below, Sts. Simon and Jude parishioners participate in a Filipino Salubong tradition, which celebrates the end of the Blessed Mother’s mourning of the death of her son, Jesus Christ, on Easter Sunday, April 5.
devotion within the Filipino community. In the Houston area, the event was marked by the ringing of church bells and the throwing of flower petals. Local pastors have adapted the timing of the rite over the years to accommodate parish schedules, with some congregations holding the event at the conclusion of the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. The Salubong remains a popular liturgical event for the region’s Filipino Catholics, representing the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of the Paschal mystery. Similarly, Spanish-speaking Catholics at St. Ambrose Parish in Houston observed a similar tradition on Good Friday, a reflection of practices popular in Spain and Portugal held during Holy Week. After the parish’s Via Crucis tradition, a living depiction of the Stations of the Cross, and the Good Friday service, parishioners carried two large floats, or pasos, bearing large statues of Christ’s body and the Sorrowful Mother. In a rhythmic sway and motion, these were carried from the church’s sanctuary around the parish grounds as parishioners pray the Rosary in a candlelit procession. Both of these traditions have roots in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian customs, each celebrated locally in the Archdiocese in faith. †
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Parishes around the Archdiocese embrace and celebrate the Paschal Mystery during the Sacred Triduum. Parishioners welcomed new Catholics at Easter Vigil, in song and prayer, joining millions around the world in singing Alleluia, Christ is Risen! See more photos at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/TCH.
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‘If You Love Me, Come Follow Me’: Religious sisters celebrate lifetimes of faith, service “God has done great things for us in calling us to extend His love in our communities, parishes and Church.”
BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Herald Correspondent HOUSTON — This year’s group of religious sisters celebrating jubilee anniversaries includes teachers, nurses, and formation leaders who have served for up to 75 years in their vocation. “These 75 years have been sacred. I never thought God would gift me with this,” said Sister Heloise Cruzat, O.P., who was born in Houston before entering the Dominican Sisters of Houston convent in September 1951, two years after graduating high school. Sister Cruzat remembered when she received her calling. As a student at All Saints School, taught by the Dominican sisters, she was sent across the street to the convent on an errand. “My attention in the entry way was directly on the statue of Jesus as a boy holding an open book, which read ‘If you love me, come follow me.’That was my call.” She went on to teach in 1955 at St. Agnes Academy before becoming principal in 1966, spending 26 years at the Catholic girls’ school. In 1981, she began working at St. Pius X High School, first in alums and development, then as its principal. She is also serving as congregational leader and was vicar for religious for the Archdiocese for 13 years until 2018. “These senior years provide precious time to read, reflect, pray and deepen in understanding and gratitude,” Sister Cruzat said. Sister Celeste Trahan, CCVI, has given 60 years of her life to her vocation with the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Earning a master’s of science degree in nursing, Sister Trahan taught as an instructor of obstetrical nursing at the University of St. Thomas. Sister Trahan was practically born into the order at St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana, when the congregation ran the facility, now a CHRISTUS hospital. “As a teen, I became a junior volunteer at the hospital — hoping to go into nursing,” she said. Under the guidance of the sisters, she entered the convent at 18 years old. “My parents were very supportive of my vocation. We were a close-knit family.” Sister Trahan helped other families expand as she served as a nurse-midwife in rural Louisiana. “I helped to bring more than 100 babies into the world. It was a great experience for me and a great resource for that rural area.” She is now a congregational leader based in the order’s headquarters and convent in Houston. The Catholic order,
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On Sunday, Feb. 1, women in consecrated life were honored at a Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart celebrated by Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez.
founded in 1866 in Galveston by Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis to care for the sick and poor, now serves in the U.S., El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Ireland and Kenya, Africa. “God is good to keep me going in our ministries. I’m extremely grateful for celebrating this milestone,” Sister Trahan said. Sister Anna Pauline Pham, OP, is celebrating her 25 years with the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province. Her journey began as an 8-month-old baby when her family fled the war in Vietnam and safely arrived in California, she said. Her mother signed her up when she was 15 to attend a discernment into vocations. “I was a freshman in high school, and I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. So I gave God a deadline.” She was praying in a chapel and gave God an hour to tell her what He wanted her to do. “At the end of the hour, I stood up to leave, disappointed. But then, as I looked at Jesus on the crucifix, I heard him saying, ‘I love you.’” She shared that love, receiving her final vows from the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province in Houston in 2006. With a teaching degree and spiritual directorship, she has taught at St. Laurence Catholic School. She also conducted missions in Mexico and Vietnam. In 2020, the Lord led her to Gratia Plena, a Catholic counseling nonprofit, as a spiritual director where she was desperately needed throughout
the pandemic. Now Sister Pham is a formator, directing and teaching her fellow student sisters on their journey. But she also serves them in other humble ways, taking her turn to cook lunch and dinner for her fellow 50 sisters. “I’m so grateful for God’s grace and
that I responded to His invitation of love,” she said. Of Sister Pham’s seven siblings, she selected vocation life as did her brother, who is an ordained priest in Cincinnati, Ohio. “With peace and joy, God called me and my order here to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston,” Sister Pham said. Sister Francesca Kearns, CCVI, agrees as the Archdiocese’s vicar for Religious. “Jubilees of priestly and religious commitment are significant milestones in our lives and the life of the whole Church,” Sister Kearns said. “God has done great things for us in calling us to extend His love in our communities, parishes and Church. The mystery of a vocation can be more deeply appreciated by looking back on the decades. God continues to create in and through our lives opportunities and depths that we could not have imagined,” she said. †
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Archbishop Vásquez blesses Dominican Sisters’ new St. Frassati Hall
PHOTO BY MEGAN DOHERTY/FOR THE HERALD
Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrated a Mass for the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province and blessed their new St. Frassati Hall at their convent in Houston on March 21.
Bishop Dell’Oro leads Stations of the Cross at Circle Lake Retreat Center
PHOTO BY MICHELLE EISTERHOLD/FOR THE HERALD
On April 1, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro walked the Stations of the Cross at the Circle Lake Center in Pinehurst. The event offered a moment of reflection, unity, and grace as attendees walked through 45 piney acres of the retreat center, surrounded by wildlife and 15 acres of lakes.
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EDUCATION IN BRIEF
St. Peter Catholic unveils ‘Guardian’ mascot HOUSTON — St. Peter Catholic Career & Technical High School proudly introduced its new Guardian mascot, inspired by the historic Papal Swiss Guard — protectors of the pope since 1506 — and rooted in the school’s patron, St. Peter the Apostle, the first pope. The Guardian embodies courage, loyalty, service and faith. “Our new mascot is more than a symbol,” said school principal, Dr. Marc Martinez. “It is a visible reminder of who we are and whom we are called to be — students courageous in faith and prepared with real-world skills for their future.” The Guardian carries a banner featuring the crossed keys of St. Peter (Mt 16:19), drawn from Scripture and the school’s seal. The keys symbolize the school’s mission to open doors to faith, hope, discipleship and excellence in academics, careers and technical fields.
Clad in a stylized Swiss Guard uniform with a ceremonial Morion helmet, the figure’s black, white and gold colors represent strength and sacrifice, faith and truth, and divine excellence. A gear icon atop the banner highlights the school’s identity as a career and technical high school — symbolizing hands-on learning, workforce readiness, collaboration and the dignity of work. “Our Guardian tells a powerful story about our school’s roots in faith and its vision for the future,” said Tim Scalzitti, advancement director. “Partnering with Colin and the Bullpen Marketing team brought that story to life with creative excellence and deep mission understanding. Their pro bono generosity helped us elevate our brand with professionalism and purpose, giving our students and community the dignity and vision they deserve.” †
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St. Pius X High School to honor Beth and Sean Jez with 2026 Del Sarto Humanitarian Award HOUSTON — St. Pius X High School (SPX) will present the 2026 Del Sarto Humanitarian Award to Beth and Sean Jez at the school’s annual gala, recognizing their service, leadership and commitment to Catholic education and community life. The Del Sarto Humanitarian Award is the highest honor bestowed by SPX. Named in tribute to St. Pius X (Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto), the award celebrates individuals whose lives reflect faith in action through service to youth, parish and community. Beth, a 1989 alumna of SPX, and her husband, Sean, have dedicated decades of volunteer leadership to SPX, St. Ambrose Parish, and numerous Houston-area nonprofit organizations supporting children and families. Their journey is rooted in gratitude for the institutions that shaped them, and a desire to ensure future generations experience the same formation, faith and opportunity. “SPX was always a place where I felt supported, cherished, and encouraged to grow,” Beth said. Like Beth, Sean’s commitment to Catholic education is unwavering. Since their sons began high school at SPX, both he and Beth have been deeply involved in the SPX community, volunteering with the Booster Club, fundraisers and co-chairing the school’s annual gala multiple times. Sean also served
BETH AND SEAN JEZ on the SPX Board for nine years, helping to shape the future of the school. “Our sons, Zach and Zander, had an incredible experience at SPX, and we were honored to contribute to that experience in any way we could,” Sean said. The gala is set for Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the Omni Hotel Houston. For more information, visit www.stpiusx.org/giving/gala/ del-sarto-award. †
CATHOLIC FAMILY NIGHT Join us for an evening of faith, family, and fun at Daikin Park, cheering on the ASTROS as they play the Cardinals. A portion of each ticket will support the STEPS FOR STUDENTS Tuition Assistance fund, benefitting Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston. Buy your tickets today!
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COLUMNISTS ‘Have sight; your faith has saved you’ I have always been intrigued by all the accounts in which Jesus encountered persons with disabilities. In each encounter, the person was either blind, deaf or had some kind of disability. What’s fascinating is the deep faith and belief of each person regarding God’s divine intervention. We learn about “The Healing of the Blind Beggar” in Luke Chapter 18, in which a desperate beggar seeks Jesus’s healing and a miracle takes place. Evidently, this leads the beggar to give glory to God for receiving eyesight. Isn’t that what it’s all about, “Giving Glory to God?”This is the answer to why we serve in ministry, why we volunteer and why we are inclined to choose certain pathways in life. I remember one day my family and I were taking a walk at the park, when we saw two men scrambling on the concrete floor, trying to hold down what appeared to be an adolescent. I immediately analyzed the situation and thought that perhaps this was an
adolescent with a disability. Soon after, I noticed a woman who was also close by and appeared distraught by what was happening. The men managed to restrain the boy and calm him down while I by intervened with the MELISSA woman, who mentioned ALVAREZ she was the grandmother of the boy, and also managed to comfort her. In fact, she was crying restlessly, and I’ll never forget what she said, “I need a cure for autism.” As I accompanied her and was present in her frustration, we both knew that her plea was in desperation. I could feel her suffering and worry for her grandson. I shared that I was a teacher for special needs, and although educators are trained in behavioral intervention, we both knew that I had no chance of helping the two men. The
grandma went on to explain that she didn’t know what set him off and that they thought that a walk in the park would be feasible. The grandson soon calmed down, and the situation was under control. Ultimately, grandma was super grateful that everyone stepped in to help, and I shared that we’ll need lots of patience and love with her grandson, who has autism. I share this experience because this month you’ll hear much about Autism Awareness, and part of our call to follow Christ involves going beyond awareness to reach compassion. Autism is one of a list of a plethora of disabilities that people live with every day. According to the National Institute of Health, autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that impacts how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. Many people live with autism; in fact, we all know someone impacted by autism or some other disability. The beauty of ministry and
serving others is that we get to be present to others and accompany them in their reality as we strive for holiness. As we continue to rejoice in the redeeming life of our Lord’s triumph over death, I invite you to be present to the most vulnerable this Easter season. Whether that may be in the pews at Mass, or perhaps we could also offer up our prayers for those impacted by any neurodevelopmental condition and for the families who care for those most in need. Maybe simply being present in and out of our parish life, at the park, on our day-to-day commutes. As a result, we are mindful of people who are most vulnerable, and we imitate Jesus as we respond with love, patience and flexibility as we strive to give all glory to God. † Melissa Alvarez is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis - Ministry for Persons with Disabilities.
We are Galveston-Houston “Not many people know this, but…” I love that phrase. As the Parish Programs manager for the Office of Vocations, I don’t think I can ever know all there is to know about our beautiful Archdiocesan family. All 146 parishes. All 1.7 million Catholics. All 8,800 square miles (bigger than the state of New Jersey). My job with the chancery tasks me with bringing the Office of Vocations programs to our parishes. This gives me a unique opportunity to peek into our local churches. And, let me tell you, we are a beautiful family with parallels and contrasts that illuminate the merciful, while the overarching love of our Creator covers us as we stumble through our work and desire to grow His kingdom. A perfect example of this is the seven churches in our Archdiocese dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: our cocathedral in downtown, as well as the local churches in Conroe, Crosby, Galveston, Manvel, Pattison and Richmond. If you map them, I pray you will see how our Savior has covered the entire Archdiocese in His holy love. Fun Facts: While our soaring cocathedral in downtown is central geographically, the Mother Church of
our Archdiocese is actually St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston. Sacred Heart church in Galveston is part of Holy Family Parish, which consists of five churches. And, Sacred Heart, Conroe, is the largest of this group with over 7,000 registered households, while Sacred Heart in Pattison is the smallest at around 350 registered households. As I travel around, I love observing the sister parishes. It’s likely that most of the members, by and even the pastors of ASHLEY these communities, have JARRELL not had the opportunity to see their counterparts and experience the visual comparisons. One of these sets is the two of our parishes dedicated to St. Jerome: one in Houston and one in Clute. Since the one in Houston is convenient to my office, I have been able to visit them frequently, and they are a vibrant, loving community. When I arrived at my first visit in Clute, however, my initial sight was not only of aesthetically beautiful grounds, but also of their devoted pastor
mowing their lawn. (I didn’t know it was him at first, as he was wearing work clothes, but he joined us for our meeting.) This warm, devoted parish reminded me of its sister parish in Houston. I wished they could meet each other. If the opportunity ever presents itself, browse the family of churches God has blessed us with here in the Archdiocese. Some are sprawling land-wise, while others are locked in by surrounding structures. Some are historic, while some are traditionally built, and others are modern. Many are buzzing with meetings of little children, veteran parishioners and young adult ministries, even on a random Tuesday. Often, I arrive while a funeral is being prepared, reminding me of the great need for our priests and their supporters. It is interesting to see how the needs of the parish are illustrated by the accommodations for confession and Mass schedules, language offerings and events.
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APRIL 19 First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 Second Reading: 1 Ptr 1:17-21 Gospel: Lk 24:13-35
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I recently saw a bulletin with a “Recipe Corner.” What a great idea during Lent! The aliveness of our local Church is so evident in these initiatives, as well as the fact that our newest parish, St. Mary Faustina Kowalska in Fulshear, is but a mere 12 years old, while our eldest parish, St. Joseph in Brazoria, was established nearly 200 years ago, the year that the MexicanAmerican War ended. Now in the Easter season, I hope reflecting on the amazing Archdiocese God has brought about in GalvestonHouston will renew your peace and devotion to your local Church family. My hope is that by discovering more about all our local parishes, you feel connected and inspired by what God is building here. And, if you ever see me stopping by, please say hello, and teach me something about your parish. † Ashley Jarrell is the parish programs manager of the Office of Vocations.
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The Road to Emmaus: Two worlds collide and meet in the Mass The Emmaus trek teaches us what happens when our heads hang low. Much like the present era, in all its dark, wicked moments, the two travelers on this road lived in their dark days, especially after the death of Jesus. They were men of hope but could not make sense of the bloody death of Jesus, nor of His missing body. Like most sad periods, they were confused and were trying to understand their sorrow and perplexity. Then a stranger joins them on the Emmaus Road and begins to embrace two worlds together. Due to the sojourners’ heads hanging low, the stranger was unrecognizable. After all, they were experiencing sad befuddlement, which made it difficult to see any familiarity, nor the depth of His being, nor His salvific mission. The dark is always foggy, which makes it hard to comprehend the way forward, but the light of this stranger burns all the shadows away. Two different worlds are about to collide. The stranger asked what they were talking about, and they were astonished that He did not know of the events in Jerusalem, or what happened to Jesus of Nazareth. They were hoping that He was a great prophet who would redeem Israel. This was more of the earthly expectation that people were hoping for; that someone would deliver them
from the Roman oppression. Redemption carried a worldly assumption. Yes, they were expecting a mighty prophet, but one from their world, not heaven. Thus, they walked by and did not recognize CARL the risen prophet before ERICKSON them. The stranger said to them: “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Lk 24:25) Then the stranger recaps what the past prophets had foretold and brings it up to the present history of Jesus. It was The Story, from the beginning of the Fall of man, when Original Shame was committed by our first parents. Then, He summed it all up to the sadness and perplexity that they were experiencing in their hearts and thus uplifted them. As the trio drew near to the residence of the two travelers, they asked Him to stay. He agrees. They arrive and prepare a meal, and He dines with them. According to an old Jewish prayer custom, they witnessed the stranger lift the bread. He took… blessed… broke… and gave, and their eyes were opened; it was Jesus who suddenly disappeared! They encountered Christ in a most
personal, mystical exchange!! Jesus is in the bread! This is a mystical event where heaven and Earth meet: This is the Eucharistic Supper. What began in the Upper Room has been completed on Mount Calvary. The Mass has been instituted and made available for us to participate in the one true sacrifice. The sequence where he took… blessed… broke… and gave is seen both at the Last Supper in the Upper Room, on the Road to Emmaus, and at the Mass. So, Jesus uplifts these sojourners as they journeyed, not toward their earthly dwelling, but toward heaven! Jesus freely gives Himself to His bride, Holy Mother Church, in word and Sacrament by proclaiming The Story events and in the Bread of Life, the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Now the two worlds, one being a worldly expectation of a prophet, and the other being a Divine Savior from heaven, collide and embrace. The world has found its greatest radiance! Light is diminishing darkness, and may humanity be open to receiving graces to brighten our world! “They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?’” (Lk 24:32). May our hearts burn within us in the Easter season as we allow our earthly vision to be transformed by this heavenly vision in and through faithful participation in the Mass. † Carl Erickson is the director of Campus Ministry for the Galveston Newman Center.
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WORLD
‘Miracle Doctor’ of Lourdes retires after 17 years, insisting miracles aren’t his job LOURDES (OSV News) — Alessandro de Franciscis is anything but an ordinary doctor. For the past 17 years, the 70-year-old Italian American physician has headed the Office of Medical Observations at the Lourdes Sanctuary in France. As he retired on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11, the entire congregation — including bishops — burst into applause at Mass for the feast day. He will be succeeded in April by Italian surgeon Giada Monami, who currently practices in Venice. De Franciscis studied medicine and pediatrics in Naples, Italy, before continuing his education in the United States at the Harvard School of Public Health, where he earned a master’s of science in epidemiology in 1985. In 2009, he became the first non-French permanent physician at the Lourdes Sanctuary and president of the Lourdes Medical Bureau, which investigates cases of reported cures among pilgrims. “The medical and scientific verification of cures has been fundamental in Lourdes since the Virgin’s apparitions to Bernadette,” de Franciscis told OSV News. “As early as 1858, there were reports of supposed miracles. The first cures were recognized as miracles in 1862 by the bishop of Tarbes,” — Lourdes was under his jurisdiction — “on the very day he officially recognized the apparitions.” In 1883, Dr. Dunot de Saint Maclou of Normandy settled in Lourdes at the bishop’s request to serve as its permanent physician. “He was the one who founded the Lourdes Medical Bureau,” de Franciscis said. “Lourdes attracted a great many people, and people should not be allowed to claim they had been‘miraculously cured’ without a rigorous medical verification.” Since then, a succession of physicians has served in the role. De Franciscis was the 15th. He often emphasizes that “miracles do not exist in medicine.” “Our role as doctors is solely to determine whether a person has been cured, and whether that cure is unexplained given the current state of scientific knowledge,” he explained. “We do not deal with miracles. That is not our field.” According to de Franciscis, tens of thousands of people have reported being healed since 1883, including nearly 1,500 since his arrival in 2009. “Very few have been followed by a full investigation,” he said.“Most of them had undergone medical treatment, about a third of them for cancer, which could explain their recovery. We conduct in-depth investigations into about 30 of the 100 cases we receive on average each year.” In such cases, the process is lengthy and collaborative. “The criteria are very strict,” de Franciscis explained. “They were established by Cardinal (Lorenzo) Lambertini, future pope (Benedict XIV), in 1734, with a view to recognizing miracles in Rome for beatifications or canonizations. They have been updated since then but remain relevant.”
OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY LOURDES SANCTUARY
French Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes is seen praying at the Lourdes grotto on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Lourdes’ outgoing chief doctor explained to OSV News that “the illness must have been the subject of a precise and clear diagnosis, and it must have a severe prognosis. The return to health must be sudden, instantaneous, complete and lasting over time. It cannot be a temporary remission.” “The cured patient must also agree to undergo a whole series of examinations, the results of which we analyze scrupulously,” de Franciscis said. “Then, if the cure appears to be genuinely unexplained, I convene a meeting of the members of the bureau, with the person presumed to be healed, and the bureau issues an initial ‘certificate of cure.’” “After that,” he added, “I present the cases of healing to the International Medical Committee of Lourdes at its annual meeting.” Established in 1947, this committee is composed of some 30 researchers from medical universities around the world, including several Americans.“Its members must vote by a two-thirds majority for a cure to be recognized as ‘unexplained, given the current state of medical scientific knowledge,’” de Franciscis clarified. Then, it is up to the Church to judge whether a miracle has occurred or not. “The bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes may forward the case file to the bishop of the diocese where the cured person resides, who will in turn conduct an investigation to decide whether a miracle has occurred or not,” de Franciscis explained. “Lourdes is full of stories of healing,” David Torchala, director of communications at the sanctuary, told OSV News. “But there are cases of cures that are recognized as medically unexplained, which the bishops do not declare to be miracles. In addition to the findings of medical research, they take into account the personal testimony of the person involved, who will then be sent out on a mission to share their story. This will
change their life.” “Out of the approximately 8,000 cases of healing recorded since 1858, only 72 cases have been recognized as miraculous by the Church,” de Franciscis pointed out. “There have been five since I started serving here in Lourdes.” The last miracles recognized by the Church involved a French nun, Sister Bernadette Moriau, who was cured in 2008 — the miracle was recognized in 2018. In 2024, the cure of the British soldier John Traynor was recognized. Seriously wounded during World War I, he was cured in Lourdes in 1923. His
cure had been officially recognized by the Medical Bureau in 1926, but the news was not conveyed to the bishop of his diocese until nearly a century later. Finally, in April 2025, the cure of an Italian woman, Antonia Raco, was announced. She suffered from primary lateral sclerosis and found herself suddenly cured in 2009 after a pilgrimage to Lourdes. According to Torchala, “Doctor de Franciscis often joked that he was the most useless physician in the world, because people would come knocking on his door to tell him, ‘Doctor, I am cured.’” “But he did a tremendous job,” he said. “He brought together an entire international medical community around Lourdes through the International Medical Association of Our Lady of Lourdes, which he chaired. It now has nearly 8,000 members worldwide. The fact that he was both American and Italian was a great help in this regard.” Dr. Monami will take over from de Franciscis. She will be the first woman to hold this position. Her medical career includes extensive research experience that led her to work at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia from 2003 to 2007. A Catholic, Monami “has had a special connection with Lourdes since childhood, particularly through her father’s involvement as a doctor accompanying pilgrimages,” the sanctuary’s website said. For the past 10 years, she has been a volunteer doctor with UNITALSI — or National Union of Italian Medical Transportation of the Sick to Lourdes and other sanctuaries — “accompanying sick and frail people to the Sanctuary,” the Lourdes Sanctuary said. †
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NATION
Will Meta and YouTube’s youth harm verdict be ‘tobacco industry moment’ for Big Tech? (OSV News) — It’s the landmark court decision some are calling Big Tech’s “tobacco industry moment”: a verdict that — just like the misrepresentation that cigarettes are safe — indicates social media companies may have a lot to answer for to the public. On March 25, the social media giant Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads and more) and the video streaming service YouTube (owned by Google) were found liable for negligence due to the design features of their products. A Los Angeles jury concluded they are intentionally addictive and led to mental distress for K.G.M., the 20-year-old woman at the center of the case. Meta must pay $4.2 million, while YouTube must pay $1.8 million, for a combined total of $6 million. Both companies signaled their intent to appeal the verdict. Popular apps TikTok and Snapchat — named in the same suit — earlier settled out of court. Meanwhile, OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research company that offers services such as ChatGPT, faces copyright and data privacy litigation, with billions of dollars in potential damages and implications for AI data handling. The Meta and YouTube suit alleged features such as auto-scrolling addicted the plaintiff to the platforms, leading to anxiety, depression and body image issues — assertions parents and researchers have been making for years, previously to no avail. An appeal is expected, but given the gargantuan assets of Meta and Alphabet (the parent company of Google) — $108.72 billion and $206.04 billion, respectively, for the fiscal quarter ending in December 2025 — will even an avalanche of court victories really make a difference? Clare Morell, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington and author of “The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones,” told OSV News she believes “it’s a tremendous victory.” “Because this is just a first case — this is a bellwether trial for just one individual plaintiff, and there are almost 3,000 other cases pending in the state of California alone,” said Morell. “You have to look at that $6 million awarded in this trial, and just multiply it,” she added. “Because if this case went this way, the likelihood, then, of the companies settling these other cases before going to trial is very high.” And more suits are on the horizon. “There’s a big multidistrict litigation case pending as well — it’s supposed to go to trial this summer — by 40 state attorneys general,” Morell noted. She added that Congress hasn’t passed a law to protect children online for almost three decades; furthermore, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 was enacted well before the advent of social media.
OSV NEWS PHOTO/MIKE BLAKE, REUTERS
Lori Schott, whose daughter Annalee took her own life in 2020, speaks to the media outside a Los Angeles court March 25, accompanied by Julianna Arnold, who founded the nonprofit Parents RISE after her daughter Coco died at age 17 in 2022. Social media giant Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads and more, and video streaming service YouTube, owned by Google, were found liable for negligence regarding the design of their platforms. A jury found the design features caused addiction and mental health harm to a young user.
“A lot of these cases were dismissed because of Section 230, which says companies can’t be held liable for harm from third-party content they host,” explained Morell. Section 230, a component of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Communications Decency Act of 1996, provides limited federal immunity to providers and users of interactive computer services. “This case really took a novel approach,” Morell observed. “They did not make it at all about the content; they made it just about the design features. ... I think it does indicate that now the industry really does have to pay attention — that their massive immunity shield of Section 230 has a kind of critical hole pierced in it.” However, Sister Helena Raphael Burns, a Daughter of St. Paul who holds a graduate degree in media literacy education, studied screenwriting at the University of California, Los Angeles, and can herself be found on the social media platform X, expressed skepticism regarding the verdict’s impact. “I don’t think it will do much good in the long run,” she told OSV News. “It’s too little too late: a feeble kind of virtue signaling that we really do care about our youth,” Sister Burns said. “I think most people know that a startling number of youth — down to the youngest toddlers — are screen-addicted, and to hold Big Tech responsible continues to shift the responsibility off of where it belongs: the parents and the home.” “There is nothing more precious than the minds, imaginations, hearts, willpower, formation, experiences, healthy development, habits, tastes, pastimes and very souls of our children,”
she declared. “And often very little attention is given to their spiritual care, and all the focus is on the physical, which is only for this life, and doesn’t determine character.” Sister Burns, who has analyzed, written and given workshops on the topic of social media addiction for close to two decades, had an illustration. She said that when she speaks with teens about good use of social media, she asks them: “’Do you think God intended that at some point in history, we’d all be walking around with little computers in our hands, staring at them 24/7?’” “They always answer with a resounding ‘No,’” she told OSV News. “Then why are we, and why do we let our children?” Morell, however, cautioned against putting the onus for children’s social media habits entirely on parents, because they are also dealing with situations completely out of their hands. “You as a parent could do everything you possibly can to keep your kid off social media,” she suggested. “But if
they borrow a friend’s phone or get on a computer, they can make an account really anywhere, instantly — without any parental involvement.” Morell said she suspects the shift in public opinion with this initial verdict “may compel” Big Tech to make more changes to their products: “Because social media doesn’t have to be addictive.” Mary Graw Leary, a professor at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, agreed there may now be some degree of change. “The strategy of these platforms — and tech in general — has been to prevent getting to discovery,” she said. Discovery is the formal, court-authorized, pre-trial process where lawsuit parties exchange information, evidence and witness lists. “To prevent, so as to win at a motion to dismiss,” Leary said. “And once they lost that, what we thought was going to happen, happened. All of a sudden, there are all these internal documents that tell the world and tell the jury that they have known how bad their products are, and have proceeded anyway.” Leary echoed Morell’s call that Congress should act. “Congress,” she advised, “really should follow the example of many of the states, which have said, ‘Well, we are watching the bodies pile up. So we are going to take action.’” However, she added, “Congress is not.” And if Congress is not, said Leary, they need to hear from their constituents. “As engaged Catholics in public life, we should think about what is prolife; what is honoring the dignity of people,” she suggested. “And it is clearly not supporting a world in which these companies, through their money, can continue to exploit our children.” Leary noted that from a Catholic perspective, the harm of social media addiction is disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable in society: children. “When people are evaluating policymakers in the country, as well as business leaders and civic leaders, they should consider: Are they willing to sacrifice our children for money?” she asked. “And if they are, that is not a culture of life. People should let their representatives know they want legislation — they want this to stop.” †
APOYO PASTORAL A VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Arzobispo Joe Vásquez gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.
texas catholic herald 17
APRIL 14, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
MUNDO CATÓLICO ¡Recupérala: Tu fe te ha salvado! Siempre me han intrigado todos los relatos en los que Jesús se encontró con personas con discapacidad. En cada encuentro, la persona era ciega, sorda o tenía algún tipo de discapacidad. Lo fascinante es la profunda fe y creencia de cada persona respecto a la intervención divina de Dios. Aprendemos sobre “La sanación del pobre ciego” en Lucas, capítulo 18, en la que un pobre desesperado busca la curación de Jesús y ocurre un milagro. Evidentemente, esto lleva al pobre a dar gloria a Dios por recibir la vista. ¿No es de eso de lo que se trata, “Dando gloria a Dios”? Esta es la respuesta a por qué servimos en el ministerio, por qué hacemos voluntariado, por qué tendemos a elegir ciertos caminos en la vida. Recuerdo un día que mi familia y yo estábamos paseando por el parque, cuando vimos a dos hombres revolcados en la villa, intentando sujetar a lo que parecía ser un adolescente. Inmediatamente analicé la situación y pensé que quizá se trataba de un adolescente con una
discapacidad. Poco después, me fijé en una mujer que también estaba cerca y que parecía angustiada por lo que estaba ocurriendo. Los hombres lograron sujetar al niño y calmarlo mientras yo intervenía con la mujer, que mencionó que era la abuela del niño, y también conseguí consolarla. De hecho, lloraba y nunca olvidaré lo que dijo: “Necesito una cura para el autismo.” Mientras la acompañaba y estaba presente en su frustración, ambos sabíamos que su súplica era de desesperación. Podía sentir su sufrimiento y preocupación por su nieto. Le conté que era profesora de necesidades especiales y que, aunque los educadores están formados en intervención conductual, ambos sabíamos que no tenía ninguna posibilidad ayudando a los dos hombres con el tamaño de su nieto. La abuela explicó que no sabía qué le había alterado y que pensaban que un paseo por el parque sería factible. El nieto pronto se calmó y la situación quedó bajo control. Al final, la abuela estaba muy agradecida de que
todos intervinieran para ayudar y le compartí que necesitaremos mucha paciencia y cariño con su nieto que tiene autismo. Comparto esta experiencia porque este mes escucharéis mucho por sobre la concienciación MELISSA sobre el autismo y parte ALVAREZ de nuestro llamado a seguir a Cristo implica ir más allá de la conciencia para alcanzar la compasión. El autismo es una de las muchas discapacidades con las que la gente convive a diario. Según el Instituto Nacional de Salud, el trastorno del espectro autista es una condición neurológica y del desarrollo que afecta la forma en que las personas interactúan con los demás, se comunican, aprenden y se comportan. Mucha gente vive con autismo; de hecho, todos conocemos a alguien impactado por el autismo u otra discapacidad. La belleza del ministerio y de servir a los demás es que podemos
estar presentes ante los demás y acompañarles en su realidad mientras luchamos por la santidad. Mientras seguimos regocijando la vida redentora del triunfo de nuestro Señor sobre la muerte, os invito a estar presentes ante los más vulnerables en esta temporada de Pascua. Ya sea en los bancos en la misa, o quizá también podríamos ofrecer nuestras oraciones por quienes se ven afectados por cualquier condición neurodesarrollo y por las familias que cuidan de quienes más lo necesitan. Quizá simplemente estar presente dentro y fuera de nuestra vida parroquial, en el parque, en nuestros desplazamientos diarios. Como resultado, somos conscientes de las personas más vulnerables e imitamos a Jesús mientras respondemos con amor, paciencia y flexibilidad al esforzarnos por dar toda la gloria a Dios. † Melissa Alvarez es directora asociada de la Oficina de Evangelización y Catequesis - Ministerio para Personas con Discapacidad.
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ACOMPAÑANDO A OTROS EN SU CAMINO DE FE
Instituto de Dirección Espiritual Un programa de tres años, establecido en 1985 en la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston, para formar al Clero, a los Religiosos y a los Laicos en acompañar a otros en su camino de fe.
Peregrinación De 13 Días A Los Santuarios Marianos A Portugal, Francia Y España Fátima Santiago de Compostela Ávila Zaragoza Lourdes Barcelona
Les informarmos con gran entusiasmo que Emmaus comenzará a ofrecer su Programa en Dirección Espiritual en español, a partir de septiembre del 2026! Además, ofrecerá la Certificación en Acompañamiento ministerial en inglés, y en español. Este programa tiene una duración de un año escolar (de septiembre a mayo), y brinda la oportunidad de ser convalidado como el primer año de formación en el Programa de Dirección Espiritual. Las unidades de teología, oración, desarrollo humano, habilidades de escucha, temas pastorales y praxis mejoran enormemente el conocimiento, las habilidades y la presencia que los líderes parroquiales y voluntarios aportan en los ministerios particulares en los que sirven.
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18 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • APRIL 14, 2026
WITHIN THE ARTS
‘House of David’ star opens up about Catholic conversion as new season premieres (OSV News) — The star of a popular show about King David is opening up about his personal conversion and the decision that led him to come into full communion with the Catholic Church ahead of the second season’s global premiere. “I don’t think I can put into words how much the Eucharist means to me,” Michael Iskander, who plays David in “House of David,” said. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist — body, blood, soul and divinity — while the appearances of bread and wine remain. “It’s what brought me back, this Sacrament.” Iskander spoke with OSV News about his faith journey and the second season of the epic biblical drama series, ahead of its March 27 premiere on Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming service. While the first season led up to David’s defeat of the giant, Goliath, the second season follows David’s transition from a shepherd to a warrior. The show from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios has already captivated over 40 million viewers worldwide. Previously, the second season was only available on Prime Video with a Wonder Project subscription. Beginning March 27, Prime Video subscribers can also watch all eight episodes of the second season. The hourlong episodes are rated “13+” (for teens), except for the first episode, which is rated “16+” (for young adults). In addition to Iskander, the series stars Ali Suliman, Ayelet Zurer, Stephen Lang and Indy Lewis. The cast also includes Yali Topol Margalith, Ethan Kai, Sam Otto, Oded Fehr, Louis Ferreira, Davood Ghadami, Ashraf Barhom and Alexander Uloom. When people watch the show, Iskander hopes they see God in David. “I just want them to know and to see (David’s) heart,” he told OSV News. “And ultimately, at the center of his heart, is God.”
OSV NEWS PHOTO/NIKOS NIKOLOPOULOS, PRIME © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC)
Samuel (Stephen Lang) and David (Michael Iskander) star in a scene from the movie “House of David.” Iskander opened up about his Catholic faith ahead of the second season’s global premiere March 27.
A conversion sparked by the Eucharist The premiere comes after Iskander announced last year that he came into full communion with the Catholic Church. “When I was younger, I went to the Coptic Orthodox Church — and I love the Coptic Orthodox Church,” said the 24-year-old actor, who moved from Egypt to the U.S. as a boy. “But I found myself, for a while, especially here in the
PASTORAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Archbishop Joe Vásquez would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713-654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.
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States, I just didn’t go to church at all.” His conversion began when he stumbled into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan one day. While there, he remembered the significance of the Eucharist. “I saw the altar, and I realized, ‘I haven’t taken the Eucharist in a very long time,’” he said. “I was hungry for the Eucharist.” Shortly after that, he auditioned for
“House of David.” The role led him to think more about faith, and when he returned home from filming, he met with a priest. He remembered how everything the priest said felt right to him. He also noticed God placing people who were Catholic into his life. “The calling became more and more clear that Christ wanted me in the Catholic Church,” he said. Because Orthodox Christians have received all their Sacraments of initiation, they only make a profession of faith to come into full communion with the Catholic Church, which Iskander did during Mass Aug. 21, 2025. As Catholics, they automatically join the particular Eastern Catholic church that corresponds to the Orthodox church they came from. Coptic Orthodox who become Catholic would be canonically enrolled in the Coptic Catholic Church, one of the 23 Eastern churches that, with the Latin Church, make up the global Catholic Church, unless they were granted permission to switch canonical membership. Today, Iskander said the Eucharist “is everything” to him. “Christ said, ‘Take, this is my body,’ and, ‘Take, this is my blood,” Iskander said. “And He is present in the Eucharist, so how can I say no to Him? To say no to the Eucharist is to say no to God.” He added later: “I pray that more people can experience Christ in the Eucharist.” A shepherd’s lesson Iskander said that his faith journey and his role as David grew both separately and together. As he began playing David, he faced unexpected trials that made him realize the importance of growing in faith. “I knew that if I was going to fight, I cannot fight alone — I have to have God by my side,” he said. “In that way, CONTINUED, next page
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL • David (PG)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE • The Housemaid (R)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN • EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (PG-13) • Goat (PG) • Hoppers (PG) • Project Hail Mary (PG-13) • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE • Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (R) • Scream 7 (R) • Send Help (R) • The Bride! (R) • The Strangers - Chapter 3 (R) • “Wuthering Heights” (R)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS • Crime 101 (R) • Midwinter Break (PG-13) • Reminders of Him (PG-13) • Shelter (R)
▶ For full movie reviews, visit www.osvnews.com/category/reviews
texas catholic herald 19
APRIL 14, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE For the latest updates about listings in the Around the Archdiocese, contact event organizers and visit www.archgh.org/ata.
APRIL 14
LUNCHEON, Junior League of Houston (1811 Briar Oaks Ln., Houston). Santa Maria Hostel hosts annual R.I.S.E. luncheon fundraiser benefiting its mission to empower women and their families to lead healthy, successful, productive and self-fulfilling lives. Cost: $300/ ticket. bwilson@santamariahostel.org. Register: santamariahostel.org.
APRIL 15
PRESENTATION, 8:30 a.m. to noon, St. Paul the Apostle (18223 Point Lookout Dr., Houston). Julie Dienno-Demarest, professional religious educator, presents “Understanding Catholic Morality,” sponsored by Bay Area Deanery Council of Catholic Women. Event includes Mass, breakfast snacks, presentation and raffle.
APRIL 10-12
AA MEN’S RETREAT, 6 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day 12step study weekend for those working 12-step programs. Cost: $265/person and $250/65 and older. registrar.holyname@passionist.org; holynameretreatcenter.com/catholic-weekendretreats.
APRIL 17
GAME NIGHT, 6 p.m., St. Peter Claver (6005 N Wayside Dr., Houston). Bingo games and concessions available. Cost: $25/door. 832-5674715; 832-766-6307.
APRIL 17-19
CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT, 6 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and time for private prayer for parish groups, father/ sons (16+) and individuals. Cost: $265/ person. registrar.holyname@passionist.org; holynameretreatcenter.com/catholic-weekendretreats.
APRIL 18
GALA, 6 to 11 p.m., Omni Houston Hotel (4 Riverway Dr., Houston). Benefiting St. Pius X High School, event includes dinner, open bar, live entertainment by Breakfast at Tiffany’s, raffle, Heads or Tails, and live, big board and silent
HOUSE OF DAVID, from previous page David inspired me and reminded me of the closeness that I need to have with Christ.” He recalled a piece of advice he received during his training for the show’s first season. At the time, Iskander was trying to spend a lot of time with a flock of sheep, but they would always run away from him. The shepherd told him how to change that. “He goes, ‘Come stand next to me,’” Iskander said. “And when I stand next to the shepherd, the sheep don’t run away. But the moment I leave his side, the sheep go crazy.” The shepherd encouraged him: “You need to be by my side always — and you need to spend as much time with me as possible so that the sheep know that you’re with me.” Iskander knew God wanted the same from him. “In the same sense, Christ was saying
auction items. Cost: $275 and up. cropperd@ stpiusx.org. STUDY GROUP, 9 a.m. to noon, St. Theresa Memorial Park Library (6622 Haskell St., Houston). The Secular branch of Discalced Carmelites for lay men and women 18plus years old, who are called to Carmelite spirituality, hosts a study group every third Saturday of the month. sttheresa.cc/carmelites; 832-758-0186; therese.lisieux111@gmail.com.
APRIL 19
BLOOD DRIVE, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Monica (8421 W Montgomery Rd., Houston). St. Monica Knights of Peter Claver Council and Court #151 is hosting a blood drive that includes free breakfast if you donate blood. Cdev@sbcglobal. net; 281-507-5393.
APRIL 25
CRAWFISH BOIL AND FISH FRY, 3 to 10 p.m., Fort Bend Columbus Hall & Park (2007 Kay Cee Dr., Rosenberg). Fort Bend Knights of Columbus 2801 hosts event with live music by Horizon. Presale tickets only. Cost: $40/adult; $10/child (ages 6-12); Children under age 6 are free. kc2801.com/crawfish-boil. LADIES BRUNCH, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). Catholic Daughters of the Americas - Our Lady of St. Hyacinth Court #2361 hosts a brunch with guest speaker Mitchell Contreras speaking on estate planning, with a fashion show by Cato Fashions, lunch from La Madeleine Bakery & Cafe, and a photo op with mothers and grandmothers. Cost: $25 cash/check or or $30 for credit/debit payment on Square. ladysthyacinth@gmail.com.
APRIL 25-26
GARAGE SALE, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, St. Theresa (705 St. Theresa Blvd., Sugar Land). Sales include religious items, jewelry, fine china, vintage/antique items, furniture, toys, household goods, sports equipment, holiday decorations, home improvement, lamps, luggage, books, electronics, office supplies, kitchen items, lawn & garden items, pet items, albums, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and more. Free entry. BAZAAR, 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, St. Bartholomew the Apostle (5356 11th St., Katy). Event includes items from Texas-owned businesses, Catholic stores and
to me, ‘I need you to spend a lot of time with me. I need you to stand by my side always, so that the sheep don’t steer away and that they see me,’” Iskander said. An answer to prayer Today, Iskander said he prays for the intercession of St. King David and St. Michael the Archangel, whom he was named after. He prays the St. Michael Prayer and reads the psalms, many of which are attributed to David. Iskander said he has a psalm for every season of his life. Most recently, he fell in love with Psalm 131, a song about trust in God. Iskander called playing the psalmist an answer to prayer. His desire to play David began with “The Chosen,” the hit series following the life of Jesus. A fan of the show, Iskander remembered showing it to his family. “They asked me, ‘Who would you play if you ever got the chance?’” he said. “I said, ‘I’d love to play King David.’” †
other organizations for bidding, and an art gallery exhibition.
APRIL 26
SPRINGFEST, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Joseph (101 Elmore St., New Waverly). Event includes a fajita meal followed by a live auction, a silent auction and kids’ games, including a train ride, bounce house and carnival games. st-josephtx.org. GROTTO CELEBRATION, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., St. Mary in Frydek (10471 Grotto Rd., Sealy). Annual Frydek grotto celebration, which was built to honor Jesus and Mary for the safe return of 65 WWII veterans, includes Mass at 10 a.m., homemade kolaches, barbecue dinner (beef, chicken and homemade sausage). $15/plate. Event also includes auction, raffle, kids’ games and dancing with music by Shiner Hobo Band, Red Ravens, Al Sulak & The Country Sounds. 979-885-3131, stmary@twlt.net.
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MAY 1
GALA, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Lone Star Flight Museum (11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston). True Cross Catholic School’s evening gala celebrates the school’s 80th anniversary with dinner and live and silent auctions among historic aircraft. Cost: $150/person. Sponsorships available. 281-3375212; truecrossschool.org/80.
MAY 2
CRAWFISH BOIL, 6 to 10 p.m., St. Jerome (8825 Kempwood Dr., Houston). Knights of Columbus Fr. Ralph J. Deifenbach Council 4550 host an allyou-can-eat dinner with crawfish or jambalaya and drinks. Cost: $40 presale/$50 at the door. 832-605-1892; chuck.pierson@gmail.com.
MAY 3
SPRING FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman, Houston). Event includes live music, dancing, food and a raffle. Tickets can be purchased at the door. parishinfo@ stroselima.org.
MAY 2-3
BAZAAR, 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, St. Matthias (302 FM 1774, Magnolia). Event begins Saturday with a barn dance, music provided by The Lonely Road Band, food and craft booths. Sunday includes games, inflatables, live and silent auction, a barbecue dinner and live music. Free entry. 281-356-2000; www.stmatthias.net/bazaar. BAZAAR, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, St. Francis de Sales (8200 Roos Rd., Houston). Saturday includes live music and crawfish sold by the pound. Sunday includes live music, ethnic foods and drinks, kids’ games, Bingo and live auction at 3 p.m. Free entry. susank@sfdshouston.org; 713-774-7475; sfds-houston.org.
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20 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • APRIL 14, 2026
MILESTONES
San José Clinic names Paul Kulas president, CEO Experienced healthcare executive to advance the clinic’s mission of compassionate care for patients and families across the region HOUSTON — The Archdiocese and San José Clinic named Paul J. Kulas president and chief executive officer of San José Clinic, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston that has provided healthcare to uninsured and underserved individuals in the Greater Houston community for more than a century. Kulas brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, with a focus on expanding access to care, strengthening clinical operations and ensuring patients receive timely, quality services close to home. As president and CEO, Kulas will oversee San José Clinic’s strategic direction and daily operations, building on the organization’s longstanding
mission to serve individuals Throughout his career, and families who face barriers Kulas has held senior to care. His leadership comes leadership roles within health as a demand for healthcare systems across the U.S., services continues to grow working to improve patient across the Houston and Fort access, enhance operational Bend regions. performance and support “We are confident that caregivers. He most recently Paul’s experience and operated his own healthcare leadership will strengthen San consulting business, where he José Clinic as we continue provided interim and fractional serving some of the most executive leadership to both vulnerable members of our urban and rural ambulatory community,” said Archbishop PAUL KULAS care organizations. He also Joe S. Vásquez of the previously served as regional Archdiocese. “His commitment to service vice president of ambulatory operations and his understanding of mission-driven at Providence Health, where he led multihealthcare make him a great leader for site clinic operations, supported more our organization.” than 400 employees and helped expand
care delivery across many communities. “San José Clinic has a remarkable history of meeting people where they are and caring for the whole person,” Kulas said. “I am honored to join an organization so deeply rooted in the Houston community, and I look forward to working alongside the team to ensure even more individuals have access to the care they need and deserve.” Founded in 1922, San José Clinic provides healthcare services to uninsured and underserved individuals in the Greater Houston and Fort Bend areas. Through its Midtown and Fort Bend locations, the clinic serves thousands of patients each year, working to improve health outcomes and expand access to care for those who need it most. †
From Plaza to Prayer: Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus earn statewide honor
HOUSTON — What began as a powerful night of faith at Prince of Peace Catholic Community has now received statewide recognition. The Knights of Columbus Council 8482 Silver Rose Program has been named the Outstanding Life Program in Texas for this fraternal year. The council will be honored at the Texas Knights of Columbus State Convention in Dallas on Friday, April 24. The award recognizes the Silver Rose
Ceremony held on Oct. 7, 2025, an event centered on asking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and praying for the dignity and protection of all human life. The evening began outdoors with ceremonial dances that filled the parish plaza with color and energy. Soon after, parishioners formed a reverent procession into the church, where they prayed a bilingual Rosary together and concluded with a litany and benediction. Members of Grupo Guadalupano, Danza
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Azteca, Grupo Guadalupano Nueva Esperanza, and the parish Pro-Life Ministry shared their faith through both cultural expression and prayer. The Knights’ Fourth Degree Color Guard escorted the silver rose throughout the procession, adding solemn beauty to the ceremony. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council later featured the Prince of Peace ceremony in its global leadership webinar series as a model for councils worldwide. †
PHOTOS BY JOSE MORENO
Each year, from early March through midDecember, silver roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the silver rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a Rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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